Chapter Three

TAXES DUE

Tues. July 19th

Bonjour Meme,

I wanted to smoke cure my salmon today, but the sea lions ripped off my stringers! At this rate I'll be dead and starving by winter. However, it wasn't a total bust, I caught three crabs in my crab pot. I'll use an empty crab pot in the future to store my fish, waiting to be cured, in the water; that way they'll keep fresh and safe from marauders.

I don't think I have to worry about smoking crab for winter preservation, they'll be fresh crab meat in the winter, and maybe even Chinook salmon running. But if I want to survive through winter, I'll need to save food for winter.

I had a negative mind, Meme. I was thinking I wouldn't catch any fish. Me' Loss and I settled on a low rock overlooking the south side of the island, between Sea Lion Sand and the boathouse, and I unpacked our breakfast of steamed crab and strawberries.

It was my dream that foretold the place blessed by the Great One with life overflowing. I replaced the fish the sea lions stole from me, and I doubled my count plus one chinook salmon.

And the sea lions need to catch their own food.

Sleep well tonight, Meme.